PALMERSTON NORTH PUBLIC HALL READING ROOM.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 42, 14 March 1877, Page 3

PALMERSTON NORTH PUBLIC HALL READING ROOM.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib, — In your issue of the 10th inst. I notice a paragraph having reference to the efforts put forth by certain members of the Palmers ton North Eeading Eoom Committee m the disposal of tickets of membership, entitling holders to admission for one quarter to the above-mentioned reading room. So far so good, but I also read that the proceeds are to be devoted chiefly m paying off an old score, and probably leaving a balance m hand to meet current expenses. This modus operandi is certainly m keeping with the times, but it is nevertheless unreasonable to suppose that persons purchasing the tickets of admission will consent to have the funds arising therefrom absorbed m paying off the debts of an actually defunct institution. The reading loom so liberally offered by the Public Hall Company is, or should be, m no way connected with the one previously m existence. Permit me to ask those gentlemen who have displayed this great exertion m ticket selling, why they did not inform me and others of this intended misappropriation of funds, which information would have prevented us from connecting ourselves m any way with the proceeding, and which still justifies us m demanding the amount of our subscriptions however small. To argue on this mistaken proceeding would be to absorb your valuable space to no purpose, but I may safely predict that if this course is proceeded with, the result will be a total failure. In conclusion, I would remark for the benefit of those jmilanthropic committeemen if they have an old debt to wipe out, is it right to lay the burthen on the infantile shoulders of such a noble institution, and by so doing weaken its whole existence. Permit me most humbly to answer, No. The debt existing ov a defunct institution should not find its way into a young, and I hope, pi'osperous institution, but be kept entirely distinct. Let the debt be made up by gratuitous subscriptions or otherwise, but do not endeavor to quietly drain it from new subscribers. — I am, &c , A Stjbsceibee.